Given the highly addictive nature of digital gadgets, both the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that children under the age of two should have no digital screen exposure, while it should be limited to a maximum of one hour daily for children aged between two and five. However, in the absence of any nationally enforced guideline and a lack of effective parental supervision, children's screen exposure in Bangladesh far exceeds internationally accepted standards. In this context, the findings of a recent study conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B) on screen time and its impact on children's health and wellbeing are quite alarming. According to the study, children in Dhaka spend an average of 4.6 hours a day on smartphones, televisions, tablets, computers and gaming devices. The consequences of such excessive screen use on children's physical and mental wellbeing, social development and academic performance are becoming increasingly evident.
The study found that a significant number of children are suffering from headaches, eye strain, sleep deprivation, obesity and mental health problems including anxiety, hyperactivity and emotional distress. Besides, children who spent excessive time on digital screens were found to sleep only around 7.3 hours per night, well below the recommended eight to 10 hours necessary for healthy growth and cognitive development. Sleep deprivation during childhood can impair memory, concentration, learning ability and emotional stability. In the long run, it may also weaken academic performance and social development. The study also highlights a growing public health concern linked to sedentary lifestyles. Long hours spent sitting before digital devices reduce physical activity and outdoor play, increasing the risk of obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases. Childhood obesity, once relatively uncommon in Bangladesh, is gradually becoming more prevalent in urban areas.
The mental health implications are equally concerning. The finding that two out of every five children are experiencing some form of emotional or behavioural difficulty should not be taken lightly. While gadgets are now part of daily life, exposing children to such prolonged screen time reflects a collective failure of society. The findings of ICDDR,B should therefore serve as a wake-up call for parents, educators and policymakers alike. Parents need to set strict limit to screen time. They must also lead by example by reducing their own dependence on smartphones, spending more quality time with their children and encouraging healthy recreational activities.
One effective way to do this would be to create safe recreational spaces for children within communities. Every child needs opportunities to play, run around and interact with others in parks or playgrounds. Such activities are essential for physical fitness, mental wellbeing and healthy social development. Regrettably, there is an acute shortage of playgrounds in Dhaka, forcing many children to play in narrow alleys or on rooftops. Most of the educational institutions in the capital also lack playgrounds. This lack of healthy recreational facilities is one of the major reasons why many children are becoming increasingly addicted to smartphones and digital gaming for entertainment. Creating child-friendly spaces where children can play freely and engage with one another could have a positive impact on their upbringing, social development and overall wellbeing.
